A vigil has been held in Beckton for Edson Da Costa, the young man who died after being arrested by police a year ago.

Around 40 family, friends and wellwishers gathered at the scene of the arrest to pay their respects.

The family of Edson, 25, vowed to continue to fight to keep up the pressure on police as the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed yesterday their investigation into the incident is “nearing completion”.

Ginario Da Costa, Edson’s father, said he was “still in pain” after his son’s death.

“I am not the same Ginario, I am not the same dad everybody knew,” he said.

“I brought my son to this country to get a better education and a better life.”

He also called for more people on the Woodcocks estate to come forward if they saw anything.

Edson’s cousin Yasmin Forves also expressed her anguish on the anniversary of his death.

“Before I lost somebody they used to say pain is temporary and I swear to God I don’t believe in that anymore,” she said.

Vigil for Edson Da Costa on the anniversary of his death. Picture: Tom Horton

“Until the day I die I will not rest until at least a little bit of justice is done for him.”

The mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz came to pay her respects to the young father.

Edson died in hospital six days after the car he was in was stopped by police in Tollgate Road, Beckton.

The alleged use of force and CS gas by officers and the injuries he sustained before his death have since been called into question by his family.

As part of the IOPC investigation into the death five police officers have been interviewed under a gross misconduct caution along with numerous witnesses and two people in a car with Edson prior to the arrest.

They have also reviewed CCTV, body worn video and mobile phone footage of the incident.

Six weeks after his death Edson’s mother, Manuela Araujo, 42, also passed away and Jair Tavares, Edson’s cousin, said: “She could no longer cope with the death of her son.”